Automatic bag opening, filling, and sealing machine



w. 1.. TAYLOR 1,909,319

May 16, 1933.

AUTOMATIC BAG OPENING, FILLING, AND SELING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 22, 1931 a 95 a Z a5 '11 6 o u y 7156 I o a w 5 95 I 5? E 10 5 1 j 0 7 H0 21 15 4115;;

1 o 4% o A 6 21 o H 1 I p t 0 o o o o o 1 151 0 51 0 a f a a o 106 O0 1 10 1 a no 1 q 1 1 1m 15 150 1 y b 1: I q 110 7? J 1b? I Mfr v u, I 1

H27 I 167 74 14014 H2 o M INVENTQR William l-.Tay10r -6- MNZW May 16, 1933. w. L. TAYLOR 1,909,319

AUTOMATIC BAG OPENING, FILLING, AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q, May 16, w. L. TAYLOR 1,909,319 AUTOMATIC BAG OPENING,' FILLING, AND SEALING MACHINE 7 Filed Jan. 22, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Wllham LTaylor' y 6. 933- L. TAYLOR 1,909,319

AUTOMATIC BAG OPENING, FILLING, AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 75 5 51 55 76] o O g2; 5 f' .4 a I \9 80 05 a a @5 11 L m 10 I o o '2 10 1 1 INVENTOR WHham L. Taylor 23 97 ,8 W

ATTORNEYS May 16, 1933. w. l... TAYLOR AUTOMATIC BAG OPENING, FILLING, AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan-m 22, 1931 9-Sheets-Sheet 5 a o Iv L INVENTOR Willnam L. Taylor May 16, 1933. I w. L. TAYLOR A UTOMATIC BAG OPENING, FILLING, AND SEALING CHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 911 a Jan. 92. 1951 IN OR Wllfiam k Taylor AITORNEY$ May 16, 1933. w. L. TAYLOR 1,909,319

AUTOMATIC BAG ormune, FILLING, AND smmne momma Filed Jan. 22, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet '7' a 3 ATTORNEY3 w. 1.. TAYLOR May 16, 1933.

AUTOMATIC BAG OPENING, FILLING, AND SEALING MACHINE Ema Jan. -22, 19:51, 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 TTORNEYS' May 16, 1933. w. L. TAYLOR 1,909,319

AUTOMATIC BAG OPENING, FILLING, SEALING CHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1931 98heets-Shget INVENTO'R William k Taylor Patented May 16, 19 33 .UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. TAYLOR, OE BATTLEC'REEK, BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE COMP MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO BATTLE GREEK ANY, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN AUTOMATIC IBAG OPENING, FILLING, AND SEALING MACHINE Application flled lanuary 22, 1931. Serial No. 510,433. 7

The main objects of this invention are First, to provide a combinedbag opemng, filling and sealing machine which 1s entirely automatic in its operation, the bags or containers being automatically fed into the machine, filled, folded and sealed.

Second, to provide a machine of thIS'ChaP- acter in which the bags or containers are very effectively sealed so as to produce a substantially air-tight closure. v 1 Third, to provide a machine of this character which is of large capacity.

Objects pertaining to details and economles of my invention will definitely appear fror n the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of my improved weighing and sealing machine, discharge conveyor being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view on line- 2-2 of Fig. 10, the weighing and filling mechanism and the bag feeding mechanlsm being omitted, this view being primarily intended to show the various steps in the folding and sealing of the bags,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation looking from the left of Figs. 1 and 2, this View illustrating primarily certain features of the bag feeding mechanism and the operative relation thereof to the filling mechanism. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 illustrating further details of the bag handling mechanism.

.Fig. 5 is vertical transverse section showing still further details of the bag handling mechanism,

the bag feeder being shown in its initial bag engaging position'by full lines and in an other positionby dotted lines.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing details of the operating cam and connections for the bag hopper, the movement of which is synchronized with the bag feeder mechamsm.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the the feeder mechanism shown in its completely actuated bag-engaging position.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to that of Fig. 7 with the feeder mechanism in its bag-opening position.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentaryview illustrating the first foldin mechanism. 3

Fig. 10 is a ragmentary view partially in section on line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view of the control for the first folding mechanism or unit partially in section on line 1111 of Figs. 9 and 10. v I

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating the relation of the filling mechanism to the bag-conveyor.

Figs. 13 to 23, inclusive, illustrate successive steps in the, bag folding and sealing op erations and portions of the mechanisms for accomplishing these several steps.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates generally a frame or pedestal of suitable structure to support the various operating parts.

Stated generally, the machine comprises a. bag feeding. and opening mechanism, the bags being delivered by the feedingmechani'sm to a conveyor along which they are propelled in open position, first to a weighing and filling mechanism, that is, the bags are filled with a measured quantity of material/ The bags are then conducted from the filling station to the folding mechanism consisting of several units whereby the bag is manipulated as illustrated in Figs. 13 to 23, inclusive, the closure-portion of the bag being folded and sealed in a double fold as is shown a fragmentary view partially in In this application I have not illustrated or described the details of the weighing mechanism other than as it is related to the filling of the bags or the discharge of the material into the bags. I

This weighing mechanism is designated generally by the numeral 2 and is provided in thestructure illustrated with three spouts 3 which are pivoted at 4 to swing in a-plane parallel with the path of the conveyor. This conveyor comprises a horizontal way 5 of general U- hape having side rails 6 and '7 between which the bags 8 are carried alon by the flights 9. These flights are mounte on arms 10 carried by the slides 11 driven by the chain 12. These slides 11 travel on ways 13 see the detail in Fig. 4.

The-chain 12 is supported and driven b the sprockets 14 disposed on the vertical sha t 15. To support the slides radially of the sprocket wheels 14 as they are carried around the sprocket wheels, the wheels are provided with supporting blocks 16, see Figs. 2 and 4.

For each flight 9 I provide a pair of bag holder blades 17 having arms 18 pivoted at 19 on the upwardly projecting brackets 20 on the slides. The holder blades 17 are raised and lowered at certain points in the travel of the conveyor so that they enter the bags prior to their reachin the spouts 3 and are withdrawn from the ags prior to the first ba folding or closing operation. These ho der blades are raised and lowered in properly timed relation with the other mechanism by means of the cammed control bars 21 arranged in spaced relation to coact with the rollers 22 mounted on the inner ends of the arms 18 so that, as the slides are successively advanced by the conveyor to bag feeding position the holding blades are lowered into the open bags and remain in that position until after the bags are filled. Just prior to the first foldin operation the blades are swung up out o the bags.

The bags are opened andmoved on to the conveyor and into position to receive these holder blades by means of a feed mechanism comprising a pair of feed or spreader blades 23 which are carried by'a toggle actuating mechanism illustrated in detail in Figs. 4, 5, 7 and 8. These blades are pivoted at 24 on a pair of parallel bars 25. Coiled springs 26 engaging the blades above the pivots act to hold them yieldingly in parallel relation.

The bars 25 are connected by the pairs of levers 27 and 28 to the arms or cranks 29 on the shafts 30. These shafts 30 are arranged in parallel relation and are driven through the gearing indicated at 31 at the same speed, there being a gear box or driving connection at each end of this feed mechanism, shown in elevation in Fig. 3. Three sets of blades 23 are mounted on the pivots 24 so that three bags are handled at a time.

The levers 27 and 28 are bell crank levers, the short arms 32 of the levers 27 and the short arms 33 of the levers 28 being pivoted at 34 and 35, respectively, to the parallel links 36, the function of which is to keep these partsin parallel relation.

The levers 27 and 28 are mounted on the pivot rods 37 and 38, see for example Figs. 3 and 8, which show the relation of these parts.

As the shafts 30 are rotated the blades 23 are raised and moved transversely, and lowered, their points traveling in a circle so that on their downward stroke they enter the bag,

carrying it, as stated, on to the conveyor and y then separate to open the bag.

The blades are spread by means of a tog 1e and coacting cam, the toggle consisting 0% a pair of links 39 which are pivoted on the pivot rods 35 and pivotally connected by the pivot rod 40.

As the whole feed blade unit, that is, the blades and the mounting described, travels.

in its cycle on the arms 29, the roller 42 on the rod 40 engages the cam 41 straightening the toggle and thereby spreading the blades. Cam 41 is fixed to and rotateswith shaft 30 '(Figs. 7 and 8). The bags 8 are supported engage the shaft 53 on which the cam is 3 mounted. The pitman is provided with. a roller indicated by the dotted lines 54 coacting with the cam grooves 51.

At the beginning of the engaging stroke the parts are in the position shown by full lines in Fig. 5 with the hopper carriage at the inner end of its stroke. Further movement carries the blades downwardly into the bag and at the same time there is some outward movement of the blade actuating mechanism as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5, the carriage moving outwardly in timed relation to the movement of the blades. Continued movement of the blades from the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5, however, carries the bag inwardly and on to the conveyor in advance of the flights.

The blades have a further movement, that is, they travel longitudinally of the conveyor,

and the means by which this is accomplished or carrying wheels 56 traveling on the rails 57 disposed longitudinally of the main frame so that the carriage reciprocates in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane of the main conveyor. It will be noted that these rollers .56 are arranged in pairs, one roller of eachpair being above and the other below the rails 57.

The feed mechanism is laterally offset from the carriage and carried by the laterally proj ecting brackets 58. The carriage is reciprocated by the lever 59 which is pivotedat 60 and connected tov the cross rod 61 on the carriage by means of the links 62, see Figs. 2 and 3. This lever is a bell crank lever, its arm 63 being connected by the link 64' to a cam 67, see Figs. 1 and 3.

The gearlng 31 previously described for driving the crank arms 29 is connected by the sprocket chains 68 and 69 and suitable vcoacting sprockets to anon-circular shaft 70 disposed parallel to the path of travel of the carriage. This shaft 70 is driven by means of the sprocket wheel 71 supported on a cross piece 72 on the frame of the machine and transversely of the carriage. The shaft having sliding engagement with the sprocket wheel permits the sliding movement of the carriage.

The sprocket wheel 71 is driven by the sprocket chain 73 coacting with a driving .sprocket 74 on the shaft 53, the shaft 53 being the main drive shaft and being connected to the main drive motor driven pulley 76, the driving connections to the pulley not being detailed:

The bag feed mechanism previously described is mounted for vertical movement to insure that the blades clear the bag holders 1 17, the gear box for the gearing 31 having sliding engagement with the vertical ways 77 on the brackets 58.

The lever 7 8 is pivoted at 79 on supporting brackets 80 (Fig. 4) carried by the brackets 58, the outer ends of the levers 78 being connected to the gearing boxes by the links 81.

The rockshaft 7 9 for the lever 78 is provided with a counterweight 82 mounted for adjustment on its supporting arm 83. The rockshaft has an actuating arm 84 connected by the link 85 to a rocker arm or lever 86 connected by the link 87 to a cross rod 88 on the carriage 55, so that as the carriage is reciprocated the bag feeder blades are lifted at the end of the forward stroke of the carriage out of the bags and clear of the bag holder blades 17 of the conveyor.

I preferably provide a counterweight 89 (Fig. 1) which is connected by the cable 90 arranged over guide pulleys 91 and 92 to links 93 engaging the pivot rods 37 and 38 for urging the feed blade actuating levers and the blades to collapsed position, see Figs. 4 and 8. v

WVith the parts thus arranged the bags are automatically transferred from the feed hoppers to a position on the main conveyor in advance of the flights 9 thereof. The bags are opened by the feeder blades and the bag holders 17 swung down in properly timed relation to enter the open bags, supporting them in open position. The feeder blades are then retracted and returned to initial position to repeat the feeding operation.

The apparatus described is designed to feed three bags at each stroke. This number can be varied as desired.

As previously stated, the filling spouts of the weighing mechanism are mounted on pivots 4 so that they swing in the plane of the main conveyor. They are actuated in proper timed relation through a flexible link connection 94 to the carriage 55.

Each spout is provided with a nozzle 173 provided with rollers 174 engaging the slotted way 175, the spout having slots 176 engaging pins 177 on the nozzles so that the nozzles are reciprocated in this way as the spouts swing. The nozzles are maintained in vertical position so as to discharge vertically into the bags.

The filled bags are advanced from the filling station or mechanism to the first folder member 95 which is arranged on a shaft96 disposed transversely folder member being of segmental shape and its function being to tuck or strike in the opposite sides of the bag as a preliminary to the actual folding.

The first folding action indicated at 97, Fig. 13, is effected by the movement of the bag into contact with the tucking or folding member 95, while that member is at rest. The

member is actuated by the rotation of its shaft 96 to tuck the opposite side or perform the second tucking operation indicated at 98, Fig. 14.

The shaft 96 is intermittently driven through aclutch or intermittent driving means consisting of the ratchet or toothed driving member 99 and a coacting driven member 100 having a pawl 101 thereon coacting with the ratchet. This pawl is disengaged and held out of engagement with the member 99 by means of the tripping dog 102 connected to the lever 103 which is connected by the link 104 to the tappct 105 positioned to be engaged by the fingers 106 on the flights of the main conveyor. Tripping dog 102 and lever 103 are mounted on opposite ends of rockshaft 102 which is journaled to bracket 103 (Fig. 11). A spring 107 returns the dog 102 to pawl engaging position so that when the tappct 105 is actuated by the finger 106 the dog is withdrawn, allowing the pawl to engage with the driving ratchet and permit the tucking member 95 to make one complete revolution so that it is stopped in the initial position shown in Fig. 13 to coact with a succeeding bag. 1

'The third folding operation is illustrated in Fig. 15 and consists of bringing the two closure flaps together.

This is accomplished by a pair of coacting members 108 which close upon the flap portion of the bag, these members being pivotally supported on rockshafts 109 having arms 110 connected by links 111 at opposite sides of the pivot 112 of a rocker 113, see Figs. 9 and 10. This rocker 113 is actuated through a pitman 114 having a longitudinal slot 115 at its inner end engaging the support 116 on the upper en d'of the shaft 15,

This shaft 15 carries a multiple lift cam 117, see Figs. 9 and 10, coacting with the roller of the conveyor, this 118 on the pitman. The outer end of the pitman is slidably supported in a bearing 119. The pitman is held yieldingly against the cam wheel by means of the spring 120.

As the bag leaves the folder members 108 it. is engaged by the retaining members 121 arranged in spaced relation above the way to receive the collapsed end of the bag between them. guiding it to the coacting rotary scoring members 122 and 123 having shafts 124 and 125. respectively, projecting above the supporting bracket 126 to receive the coengaging gears 127 and 128. see Figs. 2 and 9.

The shaft 124 is provided with a beveled gear 129 coacting with a gear 130 on the shaft 131. The scoring member 122 has a peripheral groove 132, the scoring member 123 being adapted to force the collapsed closure portion of the bag into this groove and form scores on folding lilies therein which facili late the furtherfolding operations of the bag and cause folding along predetermined lines.

After passing these scoring members the scored collapsed closure flap portion 133 of the bag is carried into engagement with the. flap reversing or turning member 134, see Figs. 17 and 18, which turns the flap to the position shown in Fig. 18, in which position it is carried into engagement with the glue wheel 135.

It will be observed that throughout these operations, that is, after the bag leaves the collapsing members 108, the closure portion s guided by the members 121., and one of these members constitutes a supporting table during the gluing operation or while the flap is being acted upon by the glue wheel as shown in Fig. 18. This glue wheel is driven at a speed corresponding to the speed of travel of the bag. The driving connections will be described later.

The glue pots are not illustrated but it will be understood that they are disposed to supply glue to the periphery of the glue wheel.

At the rear of the glue wheel 135 is a fixed flap folder 136. The scored glued closure is carried into engagement with this stationary folder and turned or folded upon itself, an initial stage of this folding movement being illustrated in Fig. 19. A complete stage is indicated in, Fig. in which the single fold designated by the numeral 137 is shown in engagement with the press wheel 138 and the coacting fotary support 139.

This press wheel 138 is provided with a shaft 140 while the coacting wheel 139 is provided with a shaft 141, the shafts being connected by the beveled gear 142. Vith this arrangement the parts of the closure are pressed together without distortion such as might occur if the support were a fixed or stationary support and it were necessary to slide the closure across it.

At the rear of this pressing means I provide a second glue wheel 143 which applies glue to the upper side of the fold 137 so that a second or double fold may be made, this being accomplished by the fixed folder 144 which engages the folder 137, turning it gradually as the bag is carried along by the conveyor to the double fold position shown in Fig. 23. The double fold is indicated by the numeral 145.

The folding is then completed and the closure engaged by the retainer 146 which holds the fold in the'position shown in Fig. 23 until the glue has had time to set. The closed or folded bags are carried along on the conveyor way to the discharge point thereof, the delivery conveyor or receptacle into which the closed sealed bags are delivered not being illustrated.

These parts are all driven in synchronism, the mechanism illustrated I comprising a sprocket wheel 147 connected by the chain 148 to the sprocket wheel 149 connected to the pulley 76. The sprocket wheel 147 is connected by the sprocket chain 150 to a sprocket wheel 151 on the stud shaft 152. This shaft is connected by the chain 153 and suitable sprockets to the shaft 131 previously referred to and the driving connections for the. scoring means.

The shaft 131 is connected by the sprocket chain 154 and suitable sprockets to a beveled gear 155 meshing with the beveled gear 156 on the shaft 157. This shaft 157 is connected by the sprocket chain 158 and suitable sprockets to the shaft 96 of the tucker member 95.

The shafts 159 and 160 of the glue wheels 135 and 143, respectively, are connected by a sprocket chain 161 so that they are driven at uniform speed. This sprocket chain is supported in coacting relation to a sprocket wheel 162 on the shaft 140 of the press wheel 138. This shaft is provided with a driving sprocket 163 coacting with the chain 151. Any suitable driving connections may be provided for these parts, it only being necessary that the moving parts be driven in synchronism or in properly timed relation with the main conveyor.

To adjust the bags to the folder mechanism the conveyor way 5 is provided with a vertically adjustable section 164 supported by screws 165, and the uprights 1.66 slidable in the brackets 167. The screws 165 are provided with nuts 'in the form of sprocket wheels 168 coacting with the chain 169 so that by manipulation of this chain the way section 164 is raised and lowered and brought into proper relation with the folding and sealing mechanism described.

The conveyor side bar 6 has an adjustable section 170 supported by brackets 171 adjustable on the rod-like supporting arms 172, see Fig. 1.

TVith the parts thus arranged the bags placed in the hoppers are automatically fed to the machine, filled, closed and sealed. The

several operations have been described in connection with the mechanism by which they are performed so it is believed that a re-statement of the operation of the machine is unnecessary. i

I have illustrated and described my invention as I have embodied the same in a machine and I desire to state that I contemplate other structural details and embodiments, but'it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled inthe art to embody or ada t my improvements as may be desired.

aving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor comprising a way .and a conveyor chain provided with flights,

coacting pairs of bag holders pivotally mounted on said conveyor chain in operative relation to said flights, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, a plurality of pairs of bag feeding and opening blades mounted on said carriage for movement in a circular path transverse to the path of the feed carriage and for vertical movement on said carriage independent of such circular movement, means for actuating said blades in their circular path to open thebags, and thereafter to actuate them vertically to withdraw them from the bags in timed relation to the movement of said carriage, means for actuating said bag holders to bag engaging position in timed relation to the bag opening movement of said blades, a hopper carriage mounted for reciprocating movement transversely of the path of travel of said feeder carriage and provided with a plurality of hoppers, and means for reciprocating said hopper carriage in timed relation to the reciprocation of said feed carriage and the actuation of said feed blades in their circular path..

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor comprising a way and a conveyor chain provided with flights, coacting pairs of bag holders pivotally mounted on said conveyor chain in operative relation to said flights, a feeder carriage mounted toreciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, a plurality of pairs of bag feeding and opening blades mounted on said carriage for movement in a circular path transverse to the path of the feed carriage. means for actuating said blades in their circular path and to open the bags, means for actuating said bag holders to bag engaging position in timed relation to the bag opening movement of said blades, a hopper carriage mounted for reciprocating movement transversely of the path of travel of said feeder carriage and provided with a plurality of hoppers, and means for reciproeating said hopper carriage in timed relation to the reciprocation of said feed carriage and the actuation of said feed blades in their circular path.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor comprising a way and a conveyor chain provided with flights, coacting pairs of bag holders pivotally mounted on said conveyor chain in operative relation to said flights, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, a plurality of pairs of bag feeding and opening blades mounted on said carriage for movement in a circular path transverse to the path of the feed carriage and for vertical movement on said carriage independent of such circular movement, meansfor actuating said blades in their circular path and to open the bags, and thereafter to actuate them vertically to withdraw them from the bags in timed relation to the movement of said carriage, and means for actuating said bag holders to bag engaging position in timed relation to the bag opening movement of said blades.

4;. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor comprising a way and a conveyor chain provided with flights, coacting pairs of bag holders pivotally mounted on said conveyor chain in operative relation to said flights, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, a plurality of pairs of bag feeding and opening blades mounted on said carriage for movement in a circular path transverse to the path of the feed carriage, means for actuating said blades .in their circular path and to open the bags, and means for actuating said bag holders to bag engaging position in timed relation to the bag opening movement of said blades.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, a pair of bag feeding and opening blades mounted on said carriage for movement in a circular path transverse to the path of the feed carriage and for vertical movement on said carriage independent of such circular movement, means for actuating said blades in their circular path and to open the bags, and thereafter to actuate them vertically to withdraw them from the bags in timed relation to the movement of said carriage, a hopper carriage mounted for reciprocating movement transversely of the path of travel of said feeder carriage and provided with a hopper, and means for reciprocating said hopper carriage in timed relation to the reciprocation of said feed carriage and the actuation of said vfeed .blades in their circular path.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, a pair path trans\-'erse to the path of the feed carr1age, means for actuating said blades in their circular path and to open the bags, a hopper carriage mounted for reciprocating movement transversely of the path of travel of said feeder carriage and provided with a hopper, and means for reciprocating said hopper carriage in timed relation to the reeiprocation of said feed carriage and the actuation of said feed blades in their circular path.

7. In a structure of the class described,

r the combination of a conveyor, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, a pan of bag feeding and opening blades mounted on said carriage for movement in a circular path transverse to the path of the feed carriage and for vertical movement on said carriage independent of such circular movement, and means for actuating said blades in their circular path and to open the bags, and thereafter to actuate them vertically to Withdraw them from the bags in timed relation to the movement of said carriage.

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, a pair of bag feeding and opening blades mounted on said carriage for movement in a circular path transverse to the path of the feed carriage, and means for actuating said blades in their circular path and to open the bags.

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination" of a conveyor comprising a Way, a conveyor chain provided with flights and bag holders movably mounted on said chain in operative relation to the flights to engage the open bags propelled thereby, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, coacting bag feeding and opening blades mounted on said carriage for movement vertically and transversely relative to the path of the feed carriage, means for actuat ng said blades in their transverse path and "to separate them to open the bags, and thereafter to actuate them vertically to Withdravv them from the bags in timed relation to the recoprocating movement of said carriage, means for actuating said bag holders to bag engaging position in timed-relation to the bag opening movement of said blades, a reciprocatingly mounted hopper movable transversely to the path of travel of the feed carriage, and means for actuating said hopper 1n timed relation to the actuation of said feed carriage and the actuation of said blades in their transverse path.

10. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor comprising a Way, a conveyor chain provided with flights and bag holders movably mounted on said chain in operative relation to the flights to engage the open bags propelled thereby, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, coacting bag feeding and opening blades mounted 011 said carriage for movement vertically and transversely relative to the path of the feed carriage, means for actuating said blades in their transverse path and to separate them to open the bags, and thereafter to actuate them vertically to withdraw them from the bags in timed relation to the reciprocating. movement of said carriage, and means for actuating said bag holders to bag engaging position in timed relation to the bag opening movement of said blades.

11. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, coacting bag feeding and opening blades mounted on said carriage for movement vertically and transversely relative to the path of the feed carriage, means for actuating said blades in their transverse path and to separate them to open the bags, and thereafter to actuate them vertically to Withdraw them from the bags in timed relation to the reciprocating movement of said carriage, a reciprocatingly mounted hopper movable transversely to the path of travel of the feed carriage, and means for actuating said hopper in timed relation to the actuation of said feed carriage and the actuation of said blades in their transverse path.

12. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, coacting bag feeding and opening blades mounted on said carriage for movement vertically and transversely relative to the path of the feed carriage, and means for actuating said blades in their transverse path and to separate them to open the bags, and thereafter to actuate them vertically to withdraw them if; om the bags in timed relation to the reciprocating movement of said carriage.

13. In a structure of the class described,

the con'ibination of a conveyor, a feeder carriage mounted to reciprocate in a plane parallel to a portion of said conveyor, coacting bag feeding and opening blades mounted on said carriage for movement vertically and transverselyrelative to the path of the feed carriage, means for actuating said blades in their transverse path and to separate them to open the bags, at reciprocatingly mounted hopper movable transversely to the path of travel of the feed carriage, and means for actuating said hopper in timed relation to the actuation of said feed carriage and the actuation of said blades in their transverse path.

14. In a structure of the class described,

tion to said circular movement, means for actuating said blades in their circular path and to open the blades and thereafter actuate them vertically to withdraw them from the bags, a hopper mounted for reciprocating movement transversely of the conveyor, and means for actuating said hopper in timed relation to the actuation of said feed blades in their circular path.

15. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, coacting bag feeding and opening blades mounted for movement in a circular path transverse to the conveyor, means for actuating said blades in their circular path and to open the blades, a hopper mounted for reciprocating movement transversely of the conveyor, and means for actuating said hopper in timed relation to the actuation of said feed blades in their circular path.

16. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, coacting bag feeding and opening blades mounted for movement in a circular path transverse to the conveyor and for vertical movement in addition to said circular movement, and means for actuating said blades in their circular path and to open the blades and thereafter actuate them vertically to withdraw them from the bags.

17. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, coacting bag feeding and opening blades mounted for movement in a path transverse to the c011- veyor and for vertical movement, means for actuating said blades in their path and to open the blades and thereafter actuate them vertically to withdraw them from the bags,

a hopper mounted for reciprocating movement transversely of the conveyor, and means for actuating said hopper in timed relation to the actuation of said feed blades in their circular path.

18. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of a conveyor,coacting bag feeding and opening blades mounted for movement in a path transverse to the conveyor and for vertical movement, and means for actuating said blades in their path and to open the blades and thereafter actuate them vertically to withdraw them from the bags.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of parallel shafts driven at the same speed and provided with crank arms, coacting blades. parallel supporting bars, pairs of bell crank levers pivotally mounted on said crank arms, the corresponding arms of said pairs of bell crank levers being pivotally connected to said supporting bars, links to which the other arms of said levers are pivotally connected, a pair of toggle members pivotally connected to each other and to said links, a cam arm on one of said crank shafts coacting with said toggle members at a predetermined point in the rotation of said cranks whereby the togle is actuated to separate the blades, and means connected to one of said pairs of hell crank levers acting to urge said blades to collapsed position.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of parallel shafts driven at the same speed and provided with crank arms, coacting blades, parallel supporting bars, pairs of bell crank levers pivotally mounted on said crank arms, the corresponding armsof said pairs of bell crank levers bein pivotally connected to said supporting )ars, links to which the other arms of said levers are pivotally connected, a pair of toggle members pivotally connected to each other and to said links, and a cam arm on one of said crank shafts coacting with said toggle members at a predetermined point in the rotation of said cranks whereby the toggle is actuated to separate the blades.

21. In a machine of the class described the combination of a pair of parallel shafts driven at the same speed and provided with crank arms, a pair of coacting blades, a pair of parallel supporting bars on which said blades are pivotally mounted, springs acting to yieldingly hold said blades in parallel relation. pairs of bell crank levers pivotally mounted on said crank arms, the corresponding arms of said pairs of bell crank levers being pivotally connected to said supporting bars, links to which the other arms of said levers are pivotally connected, and means acting on said lovers to separate said blades at a predetermined point in the rotation of said cranks.

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of parallel shafts driven at the same speed and provided with crank arms, a pair of coacting blades, a pair of parallel supporting bars on which said blades are mounted, pairs of bell crank levers pivotally mounted on said crank arms, the corresponding arms of said pairs of bell crank levers being pivotally connected to said supporting arms, links to which the other arms of said levers are pivotally connected, and means acting on said lovers to separate said blades at a predetermined point in the rotation of said cranks.

23. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a conveyor comprising a way, propelling flights for conveying containers along said way, means for delivering bags to said conveyor in advance of said flights, coacting pai"s of bag holder blades adapted to hold the bags in open po ition as they are propelled along said way by said flights, a

ISO

plurality of bag filling spouts pivotally mounted to swing in a plane parallel to the path of travel of the bags to be filled, nozzles for said spouts mounted to reciprocate in a horizontal plane and operatively connected to the spouts to move therewith, and means for swinging said spouts at a speed corresponding to the speed of travel of the containers on said conveyor.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a conveyor comprising a way, propelling flights for conveying containers along said way, means for delivering bags to said conveyor in advance of said flights, coacting pairs of bag holder blades adapted to hold the bags in open position as'they are propelled along said way by said flights, a plurality of bag filling spouts pivotally mounted to swing in a plane parallel to the path of travel of the bags to be filled, and means for swinging said spouts at a speed corresponding to the speed of travel of the containers on said conveyor.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a conveyor comprising a way and propelling flights, of folding and sealing means comprising a segmental rotatable tucker member disposed in the path of the upper ends of the bags to tuck in opposite sides of the bags as they are advanced by said conveyor, means for actuating said tucker member controlled by said flights, a pair of coacting closure flap collapsing jaws at the rear of said tucker member to collapse the closure flap, means for actuating said jaws in timed relation with the movement of said conveyor, coacting rotary scoring members disposed at the rear of said closure collapsing jaws to score the collapsed closure flap, a relatively fixed closure flap turner disposed at the rear of said scoring members and adapted to turn the closure flap to a horizontal position, a glue wheel disposed at the rear of said closure flap turner member, a relatively fixed closure flap folder member disposed at the rear of said glue wheel, a coacting pair of rotary pressing members disposed at the rear of said folder member,

a second glue wheel disposed at the rear of said pressing members, a second flap folder member disposed at the rear of said second glue wheel and acting to make a second fold in the closure flap, and a pressing plate at the rear of said second folder member acting to retain the folds to permit the setting of the glue.

26. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a conveyor comprising a way and propelling flights, of folding and sealing means comprising a segmental rotatable tucker member disposed in the path of the upper ends of the bags to tuck in opposite sides of the bags as they are advanced by said conveyor, means for actuating said tucker member controlled by said flights, a

.pair of coacting closure flap collapsing jaws at the rear of said tucker member to collapse the closure flap, means for actuating said jaws in timed relation with the movement of said conveyor, a relatively fixed closure flap turner disposed at the rear of said jaws and adapted to turn the closure flap to a horizontal position, a glue wheel disposed at the rear of said closure flap turner member, a relatively fixed closure flap folder member disposed at the rear of said glue wheel, a pressing means disposed at the rear of said folder member, a second glue wheel disposed at the rear of said pressing means, a second flap folder member disposed at the rear of said second glue wheel and acting to make a second fold in the closure flap, and a pressing plate at the rear of said second folder member acting to retain the folds to permit the setting of the glue.

27. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a conveyor, of folding and sealing means comprising tucking means acting to tuck in opposite sides of the bags as they are advanced by said conveyor, closure collapsing means at the rear of said tucker means to collapse the closure flap, coacting rotary scoring members disposed at the rear of said closure collapsing jaws to score the collapsed closure flap, a closure flap turner disposed at the rear of said scoring members and adapted to turn the closure flap to a horizontal position, a glue wheel disposed at the rear of said closure flap turner member, a closure flap folder member disposed at the rear of said glue wheel, coacting rotary pressing members disposed at the rear of said folder member, a second glue wheel disposed at the rear of said pressing members, a second flap folder member disposed at the rear of said second glue wheel and acting to make a second fold in the closure flap, and pressing means at the rear of said second folder member acting to retain the folds to permit the setting of the glue.

28. In a machine of the class described,

-thbombination with a conveyor, of folding and sealing means comprising tucking means acting to tuck in opposite sides of the bags as they are advanced by said conveyor, closure collapsing means at the rear of said tucker means to-collapse the closure flap, eoacting rotary scoring members disposed at the rear of said closure collapsing jaws to score the collapsed closure flap, a closure flap turner disposed at the rear of said scoring members and adapted to turn the closure lap .to a horizontal position, a glue wheel disposed at the rear of said closure flap turner member, a closure flap folder member disposed at the rear of said glue wheel, pressing means disposed at the rear of said folder member, a second glue wheel disposed at the rear of said pressing means, a second flap folder member disposed at the rear of said second glue wheel and acting to make a sec-' ond fold in the closure flap, and pressing means at the rear of said second folder member acting to retain the folds to permit the settin of the glue.

29. n a machine of the class described, the combination with a conveyor,'of folding and sealing means comprising tucking means acting to tuck in opposite sides of the bags as they are advanced by said conveyor, closure collapsing means at the rear of said tucker means to collapse the closure flap, a closure flap turner disposed at the rear of said scoring members and adapted to turn the closure flap to a horizontal position, a glue wheel disposed at the rear of said closure flap turner member, a closure flap folder member disposed at the rear of said glue wheel, coacting rotary pressing members disposed at the rear of said folder member, a second glue wheel disposed at the rear of said pressing members, a second flap folder member disposed at' the rear of said second glue wheel and acting to make a second fold inthe closure flap, and pressing means at the rear of said second folder member act ing to retain the folds to permit the setting of the glue.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a conveyor, of means for collapsing the closure flap, scoring means disposed at the rear of said collapsing means, a closure flap turner disposed at the rear of said scoring means and adapted to turn the closure flap to glue-receiving position, a glue wheel disposed at the rear of said closure flap turner member, a closure flap folder member disposed at the rear of said glue wheel, a pressing means disposed at the rear of said folder member, a second glue wheel disposed at the rear of said pressing means, and a second flap folder member disposed at the rear of said second glue wheel and acting to make a second fold in the closure 31. In a. machine of the class described, the combination with a conveyor, of folding and sealing means comprising a tucking means acting to tuck in opposite sides of the bags as they are advanced bythe conveyor, closure collapsing means disposed at the rear of said tucker means to collapse the closure flap, ('0- acting rotary scoring members disposed at the rear of said closure collapsing means to score the collapsed closure flap, one of said scoring members being grooved and having a top flange of substantial width, the other being disposed in opposed relation to such groove and having a V shaped cdgc, means for applying glue to said flap and forming a fold therein, means for applying glue to the outer side of such fold, and means for making a second fold in the closure flap.

32. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a conveyor, of folding and sealing means comprising a tucking means acting to tuck in opposite sides of the bags as they are advanced by the conveyor, closure collapsing means disposed at the rear of said tucker means to collapse the closure flap, coacting rotary scoring members disposed at the rear of said closure collapsing means to score the collapsed closure flap, means for applying glue to said flap and forming a fold therein, means for applying glue to the outer side of such fold, and means for making a second fold in the closure flap.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a conveyor, of folding and sealing means comprising means to collapse the closure flap, coacting rotary scoring members disposed'at the rear of said closure collapsing means to score the collapsed closure flap, one of said scoring members being grooved and having a top flange of substantial width, the other being disposed in opposed relation to such groove and having a V'shaped edge, means for applying glue to said flap and forming a fold therein, means for applying glue to the outer side of such fold, and means for making a second fold therein.

34. In a machine of the class described, the combination With a conveyor, of folding and sealingmeans comprising means to collapse the closure flap, coacting rotary scoring members disposed at the rear of said closure collapsing means to score the collapsed closure flap, means for applying glue to said flap and forming a fold therein, means for applying glue to the outer side of such fold, and means for making a second fold therein.

35. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a conveyor comprising a way, a conveyor chain disposed at the side of the way, flights on said conveyor chain for propelling a'rticles along the way, coacting pairs of bag holder blades pivotally mounted on said conveyor chain. and cammed bars coacting with said holder blades for swinging them on their pivots to and from receptacle engaging position at predetermined points in the travel of the receptacles.

36. In a machine of the. class described, the combination of a conveyor comprising a way. a conveyor chain disposed at the side of the way, flights on said conveyor chain for propelling articles along the way. coacting pairs of bag holder blades pivotally mounted on said conveyor chain, and bars coacting with said holder blades for swinging them on their pivots to and from receptacle engaging position at predetermined points in the travel of the receptacles.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM L. TAYLOR. 

